The old man Zhang thought for a moment. He then picked up the bowl of wine. He glanced at Mr. Chen once more before lifting the bowl to his lips. After taking a small sip, he started to put it down. Suddenly, he heard Mr. Chen say, “Drink it all.” Seeing this, Old Man Zhang clenched his teeth and tipped the bowl, swallowing every drop. Xiaoliu opened his mouth, then turned to look at Mr. Chen. He just didn’t understand. With the bowl emptied, Old Man Zhang let out a long breath. His eyes turned red, as if the wine was burning inside. “This aged brew is truly strong,” Old Man Zhang wiped his face, trying to sober up. “What you say makes sense, sir. It’s just that I probably couldn’t manage more than a few bowls anyway.” “Hard to say,” said Chen Changsheng. “Who knows what lies ahead?” Xiaoliu, standing nearby, sighed inwardly. He couldn’t figure out why Mr. Chen had insisted the Tavern Manager drink that wine. For now, he couldn’t press the matter. But after Mr. Chen left, he definitely planned to take the Manager to see Doctor Tong. Then Mr. Chen and the Manager talked until the Monkey Hour. The sun shifted westward overhead, casting a deep shadow across the entrance to the Tavern. Seeing it was getting late, Chen Changsheng stood up to leave. “The hour grows late. It’s time for me to go.” “Take care on your journey, sir. Let me see you out.” Old Man Zhang rose and walked Chen Changsheng to the door. Xiaoliu noticed that after the Manager stood up, there was no hesitation at all. He walked with ease, just like anyone else. He froze briefly, then quickly caught up. When Chen Changsheng reached the Tavern door, he lifted a hand. “This is far enough.” Old Man Zhang nodded. “When you visit again, sir, I’ll save more jars of the Autumn Moon Brew.” Chen Changsheng chuckled. “Sounds good.” In Old Man Zhang’s eyes, the gentleman in his Blue Robe walked away with effortless grace. Well, truly he was. Mr. Chen wasn’t an ordinary man. He moved through the Mortal World yet remained untouched by its dust. Grace suited him. That such a lofty person could chat so naturally with a coarse, old man like him—wasn’t that just the greatest fortune for this old wreck? Xiaoliu spoke, his voice hollow with astonishment, staring at him. “Your leg…” Old Man Zhang paused. “My leg?” Xiaoliu pressed his lips together. “Manager, walk a few more steps. Have a look.” Old Man Zhang jerked to sudden awareness. He hurriedly stepped forward. He took two steps. The stabbing pain in his leg was completely gone. The old stiffness had vanished without a trace. “Manager, your leg… it’s healed?” Xiaoliu cried out. Old Man Zhang’s eyes flew wide. He looked towards the distance. But that gentleman’s figure had long since disappeared from sight. He drew a long breath. Everything made sense now. “So that’s how it was…” Old Man Zhang laughed weakly. Now he knew why Mr. Chen had made him drink that strong wine! So that was it! So that was it! ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel⟡fire.net Old Man Zhang laughed, showing his missing front tooth. Then his eyes misted over again. Words couldn’t contain his gratitude. Xiaoliu stood beside him, filled with confusion. Had the Manager’s leg problem really been healed? But seeing the expression on the Manager’s face, Xiaoliu understood: there was something here he didn’t know. Old Man Zhang smiled truly happily. He waved his hand and walked back inside the Tavern. Xiaoliu hurried to catch his pace. “Manager, is your leg honestly healed? Or… what?” Old Man Zhang shook his head, smiling. “Cannot tell. Cannot tell…” Xiaoliu stopped in his tracks. He watched the Manager, laughing heartily, disappear into the backyard. He scratched his head, perplexed. Chen Changsheng descended from the bridge. He planned to walk around Autumn Moon Market. At the Library Pavilion the night before, a thought had struck him. Plucking his hair every so often was just too inconvenient. It was also hard to keep safe; it could easily get lost. So he wanted to find some place to see if he could get something that would help him store the strands. Preferably something handy. Tongji Hall was on the side of West Bridge near Autumn Moon Market. Inside the clinic, Tong Zhihuan had shed his boyish look. Skillfully, he measured out herbs, weighed them, wrapped them neatly in oilpaper, and packed them. These were medicines prepared for patients arriving tomorrow. Tong Zhihuan sighed, finally done. He stepped out of the clinic, meaning to stand at the door, enjoy the breeze, and rest awhile. But as he lifted his head, he saw a figure upon the bridge. Tong Zhihuan froze. His pupils shrank, his eyes glued unblinkingly to the gentleman descending the bridge. He snapped back to himself and turned towards his dad reading a medical book inside the clinic. “Dad, I need to go out for a bit!” Tong Caizheng simply acknowledged with a nod. “Be back before dark.” Tong Zhihuan dashed out the door. 😌😌😌Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😌😌😌 He ran quickly toward the head of the bridge. Catching his breath, he scanned the surroundings, searching for that gentleman. Tong Zhihuan muttered. He started moving ahead, planning to keep searching. Suddenly, a voice came from behind him. Tong Zhihuan jolted. He whirled around. Seeing the gentleman’s face, memories flooded back instantly. It was him! It was really him! Chen Changsheng looked at the youth before him. This was the second time he’d met this lad. Tong Zhihuan quickly took two steps back. He bowed his head and clasped his hands. “Immortal Lord! I… I didn’t mean to offend! I… I just…” Cold sweat trickled down his temple. He never imagined he’d run into this gentleman again. He thought he’d been very careful! “Huh?” Chen Changsheng was surprised and couldn’t help but smile. “When did you offend me?” Tong Zhihuan was stunned by this too. He looked up, confusion in his eyes. “N… No?” He stammered uncertainly. “I don’t feel offended.” Chen Changsheng studied him. “By the way, why do you call me ‘Immortal Lord’?” Tong Zhihuan hesitated, then explained. He told of eavesdropping years ago, and then about the dream later where the City God spoke to him. “Ah, I see…” Chen Changsheng nodded. “No wonder you fear me so.” Tong Zhihuan wet his lips nervously. “Immortal Lord, I was very young back then. I didn’t know the proper respect I should show. I trespassed unintentionally! Please, Immortal Lord, be merciful! Spare me!” Chen Changsheng noticed the boy looked close to tears. He asked curiously, “Tell me, what exactly did the old City God say to you?” Tong Zhihuan blurted out quickly, “It… it’s not His fault!” Chen Changsheng laughed softly. “Alright, things aren’t as grim as you’re imagining. I’m not going to take your life, nor will I harm you in any way. I’m not so petty as all that.”